Morning Authority and Grace, and the Hyuga Clan's Reward

The first ray of dawn struggled through the huge hole violently blasted open in the Hokage's Office, illuminating every speck of dust floating in the air.

The air still carried the faint scent of scorched flesh and ozone left behind by last night's Mutant self-destruction, mixed with the fresh fragrance of splintered high-grade wood, creating a bizarre blend.

Baishi sat upright in the chair symbolizing the pinnacle of power in the Land of Fire, his expression calm. The final ripple on the Water Mirror before him slowly faded, revealing Kidomaru and the others sinking completely into despair.

He had not slept all night, yet after devouring and initially merging with part of the One-Tail's and the Mutant's power, he felt no fatigue whatsoever. Instead, the Chakra within him was like a newborn star undergoing a higher level of fusion, and his vigor had never been greater.

Knock, knock.

A respectful knock came from the shattered doorframe.

"Hokage-sama, Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan, requests an audience," an ANBU operative said.

"Let him in." Baishi's voice did not ripple in the slightest.

Soon, Hyuga Hiashi entered in an immaculate white kimono, his steps steady. His bearing was flawless, but his normally inscrutable face carried a trace of barely concealed heaviness and grief.

His gaze swept over the devastated office, and his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. The image of last night's godlike suppression of the monster surfaced in his mind once more, making his heart clench.

"Hokage-sama." Hiashi reached the desk and, without hesitation, dropped to both knees in the most formal salute.

"Last night, following your orders, the purge of the remaining Root strongholds and the roundup of Sound Village infiltrators have been fully completed."

He paused, his voice carrying suppressed hoarseness. "During the mission, my Hyuga Clan... lost three